Knicks issue cease-and-desist over logo use in Mamdani-backed campaign

The New York Knicks sent a cease-and-desist letter to Aber Kawas’ campaign after promotional materials used the Knicks logo with the team name replaced by “Kawas,” accusing the campaign of trademark infringement, false advertising, false association, and unfair competition. Kawas is the Democrat nominee for New York Senate District 12 and has been backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani; the Knicks say they’re not endorsing any candidate and demanded removal of all materials using Knicks intellectual property and to stop further use. The dispute echoes a prior similar issue involving Mamdani’s campaigns and underscores tensions between the campaign and the sports organization over IP rights.